ValonBehrami has admitted that he and his Napoli teammates will have to be able to deal with the significant pressure of expectant fans this season.

The Azzurri finished second in Serie A last term and the midfielder knows that supporters will now want them to improve on that.

“We are a squad that has been built to do well,” the Swiss international told the Corriere del Ticino. “The unknown will come from the desire of the fans who will no longer be happy with second place.”

He added: “It will be a long and hard season, with an autumn that will be packed with fixtures.

“As well as the games with Napoli, there will be four international matches that will be worth a place at the World Cup in Brazil.”

The 28-year-old Behrami joined Napoli in July 2012, from Fiorentina, when he put pen to paper on a five-year contract.